Celebrate Lit / February 13, 2025

The Covenant

About the Book The Covenant

Book: The Covenant: Book One The Messiah Brigade

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Middle-Grade Reader

Release date: November 12, 2024

Middle schooler Zeke just wants to survive school unnoticed, but his intelligence and small stature make him the target of a gang of bullies. One afternoon, he stumbles upon a mysterious old box hidden in a pile of trash. Inside are trinkets, notes, and a Bible he’s never read, all hinting at life-changing truths if he can solve the clues.

With the help of new friends in the “Messiah Brigade,” Zeke embarks on a journey of faith, courage, and discovery. Together, they hope to use what they uncover to bring positive change to their school and stop the bullies.

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My Thoughts on The Covenant

The Covenant is a sweet fiction novel for middle-grade readers. They’ll love this new series that keeps them entertained. If you have middle-grade readers you’ll love this for them. It’s a good Christian fiction so you know they’re going to learn good solid values from this plus maybe even answer some questions they have about the Bible.

I love that the author incorporates Scripture and the Bible into this novel. She also does a great job of giving them practical wisdom for things that kids today might face like bullying.

My kids loved to read this one! I found that it held attention well for anyone ages around 8 through 14-15. I do think that older teens might like it as well depending on their maturity and reading levels. As an adult, I did enjoy the novel though it wasn’t as relevant to my current life stage as it would be for the target audience.

For reading levels, it’s right for them to read independently. I do feel that slightly younger children would love it if they’re advanced readers or if it’s read aloud to them.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Author of The Covenant

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. Her books have won Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist.

All of her books examine real-world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle-grade readers, YA fiction, and adult-level novels.

More from Terry

My love of history, especially the WW II era, inspired me to write this book. It was an effort to combine the history of the world, specifically the cruelty of the Nazis to the Jewish people, and how bullying can result in kids taking over the culture of a school if not stopped. The three main characters decide to try to change the culture and make it a safe place from bullies.

The discovery of a mysterious box of memorabilia of the WW II era sets the curious kids on their way. They find out there were three good friends who went off to fight in WW II to stop the Nazi movement in Europe. They see the parallels between their school, taken over by bullies, and Europe when Nazi forces were running over it. Soon they figure out the meaning of trinkets, scribbled notes, and Scripture and use these to steer their middle school in a better direction.